Essex - Service Change September 2025

Following a review of our timetables, reliability and passenger demand we are making changes to a number of our Essex & Hertfordshire services from Monday 1st September 2025. These changes are designed to ensure the ongoing sustainability and reliability of our network and improve passenger journey options. A summary of the changes being made can be found below along with links to copies of our new timetables. Updated timetable leaflets will be made available in due course.

There are no changes to fares across our Essex & Hertfordshire network expect on the 306 (delayed from July). However revised fares are introduced on Service 375 in Thurrock. A copy of the new 375 fare chart can be found here.

Service 5 - Harlow > Sumners Farm

There's no changes to weekday or Sunday journeys but a revised Saturday timetable is introduced as follows:

• 0730, 0755 & 0825 ex Harlow withdrawn due to low usage.
• 0740 & 0805 ex Sumners Farm withdrawn due to low usage.
• Additional journey introduced departing Harlow at 2245.

>>Click here for new Service 5 timetable<<

Service 8 - Wickford > Rettendon Common

There are minor changes to the timetable reflecting subsequent changes to Service 12.

• 0610 ex Rettendon on weekdays will run 5 minutes earlier departing at 0605.
• 1853 ex Wickford, the Swans on weekdays is withdrawn.
• 1853 ex Wickford, the Swans on Saturdays is extended to start from Wickford Station at 1852.

>>Click here for new Service 8 timetable<<

Service 12 - Wickford > Crays Hill > Billericay

We recognise that the flat hourly timetable introduced in January has not worked as hoped. Traffic in Wickford in particular has been too variable. A revised timetable is introduced on all days with a large number of journeys given additional running time. Unfortunately this does mean that during core daytime hours the timetable is less clock-face than we'd ideally like but where possible an hourly headway has been maintained. Peak time journeys on weekdays have also been revised to run slightly earlier in the mornings and slightly later in the evenings to facilitate additional recovery time between journeys. 

>>Click here for new Service 12 timetable<<

Service 13 - Waltham Cross > Waltham Abbey > Epping > North Weald

There are changes to most journeys, particularly at peak times and on Saturdays:

• A small number of weekday journeys in the early morning and mid-evening will run numbered 13A and will serve Farm Hill Road and the Shernbroke Road loop instead of Parklands. This is designed to enhance the service offered by Route 16. 
• Some journeys at the start and end of service day will extend to/from Ongar, complimenting existing Service 18C and 20 journeys on this section. These journeys are numbered 13C. 
• Weekday evening peak journeys are given additional running time with some buses in the evening arriving at and departing from Waltham Cross up to 5 minutes later than at present.
• Weekday daytime journeys departing North Weald are retimed to operate 1-2 minutes later from all stops until Epping Station. 
• Saturday daytime journeys between 0900 & 1700 will generally operate 5 minutes earlier from all stops. 

>>Click here for new Service 13 timetable<<

>>Click here for the new Service 13 map<<

Service 14 - Waltham Cross > Waltham Abbey

A revised timetable is introduced with most weekday journeys withdrawn and replaced with additional journeys on Route 16 or short Route 13 or 15 journeys. Saturday journeys are also revised to continue providing a service via Paternoster Hill between gaps in the Route 15 timetable. 

>>Click here for new Service 14 timetable<<

Service 15 - Waltham Cross > Waltham Abbey > Nazeing > Harlow

There are changes to most journeys, particularly at peak times and on Saturdays:

• A revised weekday morning peak timetable is introduced with most buses operating up to 5 minutes later than at present. In addition the 0848 ex Upshire is extended to start from Harlow at 0815. 
• A revised weekday evening peak timetable is introduced with an additional departure from Harlow at 1630. The 1525, 1717 and 1817 departures from Harlow are retimed to run at 1520, 1720 & 1820 respectively. From Waltham Cross the 1725 is retimed to run 10 minutes earlier at 1715. This journey and the following journey at 1815 are renumbered from 15A to 15 and will no longer serve Katherines.
• Evening short journeys between Waltham Cross and Upshire Shops are withdrawn and replaced with journeys on route 13A.
• Almost all Saturday journeys are retimed to operate at least 5 minutes later throughout providing more consistency with the weekday timetable. 

>>Click here for new Service 15 timetable<<

Service 16 - Waltham Cross > Waltham Abbey > Shernbroke Road

There are changes to most journeys, particularly at peak times and on Saturdays. Sunday journeys running as 16C are unchanged. 

• Most peak time journeys are given additional running time and to help regulate the service a number of buses will now terminate at the end of Shernbroke Road and then return empty to the start of the loop before commencing trips back towards the Abbey and the Cross. 
• Weekday early morning and evening timetables are supplemented by additional journeys operating on route 13A.
• Saturday daytime journeys are revised to operate generally every 40 minutes between 1000 and 1700 to reflect higher traffic volumes between the Abbey and the Cross. 

>>Click here for new Service 16 timetable<<

Service 18 - Loughton > Debden > Epping > North Weald

There are minor changes to some Monday-Saturday journeys, mostly between Epping and North Weald. There are no changes to the Sunday timetable.

• Morning journeys numbered 18A are extended to start from North Weald. 
• Most weekdays daytime journeys will operate 1-2 minutes later between North Weald and Epping Station. 
• The 1820 18C ex Loughton on weekdays is retimed to depart at 1825 and will operate 5 minutes later from all stops to Epping Station and 10 minutes later from all stops between Epping Station and Ongar.
• On Saturdays most daytime journeys will operate approx 3-5 minutes later throughout. 

>>Click here for new Service 18 timetable<<

Service 20/21/22 - Harlow > Epping > North Weald > Ongar

A revised timetable is introduced with a larger number of changes across most Monday-Saturday journeys however there are no changes to the Sunday service.

• A simpler weekday morning peak timetable is introduced with most journeys gaining additional running and/or recovery time to reflect heavier traffic flows, particularly around Harlow. 
• Most weekday daytime journeys will operate approx 1-2 minutes later between Ongar and Epping Station.
• A fully revised weekday evening peak timetable is introduced with most journeys departing around 5-10 minutes later than at present. 
• On weekday evenings a small number of additional journeys will depart Epping Station numbered 22B providing additional capacity towards North Weald and Potter Street.
• The 0605 20 ex Ongar on Saturdays will now commence from Epping Station at 0630.
• A revised Saturday evening timetable is introduced in/out of Harlow including an additional 22B journey departing Harlow at 1815. The 1945 21 will now operate as a service 20. The 2342 22B on Saturday evenings is withdrawn. 

>>Click here for new Service 20 timetable<<

Service 25 - Harlow > Hoddesdon > Broxbourne > Brookfield Centre

Revised times are introduced on all journeys. In addition all weekday journeys will return to single deck operation as patronage since January has not warranted the additional capacity provided by double decks. 

• The core timetable will continue to operate hourly in each direction with additional running time provided to reflect heavier traffic along the route.
• On weekday mornings buses towards Harlow are enhanced from every 60 minutes to every 40 minutes with the first bus arriving into Harlow approx 20 minutes earlier than at present. 
• Some short journeys from Broxbourne towards Harlow in the mid-evening are withdrawn due to low usage. 

>>Click here for new Service 25 timetable<<

Service 26 - Harlow > Little Parndon

An enhanced weekday timetable is introduced: 

• Additional journeys will depart Harlow Bus Station at 0735, 1605 & 2050 (this last journey will only operate as far as 'the Hornbeams').
• Weekday journeys will operate approx 2-3 minutes earlier from all stops after Princess Alexandra Hospital.
• There are no changes to Sunday 26A journeys.

>>Click here for new Service 26 timetable<<

Service 37 - Buntingford > Stevenage

An additional journey will operate in each direction on weekdays numbered 37X. These journeys replace the current Walkern short journeys on route 38. 

>>Click here for new Service 37 timetable<<

Service 38 - Hertford > Ware > Stevenage

A revised late afternoon / early afternoon timetable is introduced on all days with more consistent headways in both directions. The afternoon departure from County Hall in Hertford will now run on the trip in front departing at 1535 to provide a better journey opportunity for pupils at Richard Hale School.

Short journeys between Stevenage and Walkern at the start/end of the day on weekdays are replaced with journeys on route 37X. These journeys are extended to/from Buntingford. There is no change to the morning journey times but the evening journey will operate approximately 20 minutes earlier departing Stevenage at 1850.

>>Click here for new Service 38 timetable<<

Service 84B - Potters Bar > High Barnet

Service withdrawn.

The contract for this service expires on August 31st and from 1st September, UNO will be providing a commercial service numbered 243 replacing most of the existing 84B route.

Find more details on Service 243 from UNO here.

Service 242 - Waltham Cross > Brookfield Centre > Potters Bar

A revised timetable is introduced on our Sunday only route:

• All journeys will follow the same route via the Brookfield Centre, currently bypassed by some morning and early evening journeys.
• Journeys will generally run 2 minutes later than at present providing more clock-face departures from each end of the route. 

>>Click here for new Service 242 timetable<<

(Monday-Saturday journeys will continue to be provided by UNO, details here)

Service 331 - Braintree > Felsted > Helena Romanes School

Service 331 is introduced on school weekdays serving Helena Romanes School in Great Dunmow. Buses will depart Braintree Kings Park Village and run via Great Notley, Willows Green and Felsted (partly replacing Flagfinders 827 & 828 services). 

Service 331 journeys will open to the public and may be used by any passenger presenting a valid pass or fare. Fares on Service 331 will mirror those on Service 333.

>>Click here for new Service 331 timetable<<

>>Click here for the Service 331 (& 333) map<<

Service 333 - Braintree > Felsted > Great Dunmow > Stansted Airport

Following a review of our launch timetable, minor changes are being made to reflect traffic conditions along the route. This predominantly affects early morning and evening journeys. 

In addition on weekdays, one journey in each direction will divert in Great Dunmow and serve Helena Romanes School instead of Stortford Road. This to partly replace Flagfinders 827 & 828 school services (along with new route 331).

To provide additional capacity for school patronage and airport traffic, most journeys are upgraded to operate with double deck buses (overnight journeys may continue to operate with single decks). 

>>Click here for new Service 333 timetable<<

Service 60 - Warley > Brentwood > Pilgrims Hatch

Following the announcement by First Essex that they are withdrawing Service 37 between Warley and Pilgrims Hatch on weekdays and Saturdays from 31st August, we are pleased to announce the launch of Service 60 in Brentwood as a partial replacement.

Service 60 will operate to a generally hourly timetable across the exact route the 37 currently uses maintaining a service from Pilgrims Hatch into Brentwood High Street and Station along with connections to Warley. 

More details including the timetable, map and fares for Service 60 can be found here.